18.09.2014 at 15:00 Staffanstorp, Staffanstorp
|
Attendance: |
Sweden |
5 - 1
|
Ireland Under 19 |
Referee: Vesna Budimir |
European Championship Qualifier-match |
Musovic, Ekholm, Björn, Ökvist, Welin, Almqvist, Angeldal, Blackstenius, Oskarsson, Norrhamn, Persson. |
Brooke Dunne
Savannah Mc Carthy
Lauren Dwyer
Jessica Gargan
Keeva Keenan
Shannon Carson
Hayley Nolan
Roma Mc Laughlin
Niamh Nelson
Rachel Doyle
Megan Connolly
|
Sweden 5-1 Republic of Ireland
THE Republic of Ireland Women's U19 side saw their UEFA WU19 Championships qualification hopes evaporate after a shock 5-1 loss to Sweden in Staffanstorp this afternoon.
Dave Connell's side ended up second in their group but have little chance of progressing as one of the best runners-up for the next phase of the competition.
After a strong first half display which was highlighted by a brilliant Megan Connolly free-kick goal in the 21st minute, Sweden equalised just before the break then ran away with the game in the second half.
Stina Blackstenius was the Swedish goal hero with four of the hosts' five goals on the day. Blackstenius found the net four minutes into injury-time while the Irish were temporarily down to ten players as Lauren Dwyer received treatment.
Unfortunately for the visitors they let in some poor goals after the break and as injuries took their toll the goals flew in. Blackstenius put her side ahead just one minute into the second half after a defensive lapse then made it 3-1 on the hour mark.
It was the same player who made it 4-1 in the 83rd minute and the rout was completed in the 89th minute when Linda Hallin found the net.
"We're very disappointed to be out already. We played very well in the first half but the concession of the goal just before half-time was poor, although we had Lauren Dwyer off the pitch getting treatment when they equalised. It gave them the incentive," said Connell.
"I was bitterly disappointed with the second half performance. We had worked very well early on and took the lead through an excellent Megan Connolly free-kick.
"We gave a terrible goal away so early in the second half and that turned the game. We could have cleared it but then paid the price. Injuries then costs us Lauren and Savannah McCarthy and heads dropped. We were very disappointed with the lack of character displayed when things got tough."
After their exploits in reaching the semi-finals of the same competition last term it was a nightmare experience for Connell's side this week.
"It was a different squad from Norway. Some big characters are no longer eligible at this age. I always felt this would be a difficult year but did feel we could qualify. It brings you back down to earth," said Connell.
"Their five goals were essentially mistakes so it wasn't like we conceded anything remarkable. We paid the price and now we have to focus on the U17s and regroup."
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Dunne, Keenan, McCarthy (Byrne 74), Dwyer (McNamara 49), Carson, Nelson, Nolan, McLaughlin, Connolly, Gargan, Doyle (Frawley 81)
SWEDEN: Musovic, Ekholm, Björn, Ökvist, Welin (Löfqvist 70), Almqvist (E. Andersson 80), Angeldal, Blackstenius, Oskarsson, Norrhamn, Persson (Hallin 60).
RESULTS
UEFA WU19 Championships Qualifying round Group 6
Saturday, September 13
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Montenegro, Staffanstorp
Monday, September 15
Moldova 1-1 Republic of Ireland, Vilans IP, Kristianstad
Thursday, September 18
Republic of Ireland 1-5 Sweden, Staffanstorp
190x300px_Club-Ireland-banner-01.jpg
190x300px_Fan-Republic-banner.jpg |
|
|